Vanished Read Online Free PDF Page B

wasn’t easy at first. I had to prove myself, but each one of these guys is my friend now. Everyone at the station would do anything for J.T. and his little girl.”
    She knew what Rachel meant. She could feel the respect and friendship when she watched J.T. work withhis staff. She hadn’t been with the FBI long enough to form that kind of bond yet. She was the one who was the new kid on the block and had to prove herself.
    Madison peered over her shoulder at J.T. He now stood at the window with the blinds open. With his coffee mug cupped between his hands, he stared into the dark, as though holding vigil until dawn appeared. His lonely vulnerability drew her across the room. They had less than an hour until the sun came up and everything that could be done had been done. Now they just had to wait for dawn.
    His rigid stance told Madison more than words what a toll the past hours had taken on J.T. Susan might think he was holding himself together, but Madison knew it was a very fragile connection that any second could give way.
    She came up beside him with her own mug nestled in her hands, relishing the heat that warmed her cold body. She faced the darkness and saw their reflections. He was only a few inches taller than her five feet eleven inches, but where she was slender, almost reed thin, he was broad shouldered and muscular.
    Madison remembered J.T.’s two older children reluctantly agreeing to go home with Reverend Colin Fitzpatrick and his wife, Emma, to get some rest. She’d also seen the silent struggle waging within J.T. Did he allow his children to go or stay with him where he could keep an eye on them, possibly protect them from whomever had taken Ashley? J.T. was sure his youngest daughter had been kidnapped, and after going over what evidence they had, she agreed. Deep down it felt like an abduction.
    She turned toward him, her arm brushing against his. The brief contact riveted her attention on him, causing a catch in her throat. “I’m glad the rain finally stopped a while ago.”
    â€œYeah.” J.T. sipped his coffee.
    â€œDid you have a chance to talk with Colin when he picked up Kim and Neil?”
    â€œJust a few minutes. He’s bringing my son back at dawn, so Neil can help with the search.”
    â€œHow about Kim? I want to talk to her again.”
    â€œEmma will stay with her at Grace’s house. Between those two they should be able to—” he cleared his throat “—take care of her, keep her safe.”
    â€œIf I recall correctly, Grace was a drill sergeant in the army before she retired.”
    â€œYes. I have to know Kim’s in good hands or—” He worked his mouth but no other words would come out.
    A tightness clogged her own throat. She put her mug on the windowsill and faced him. “Let us take care of everything. I don’t know how you’re keeping yourself together.” She reached out and touched his arm, wishing she could take his pain away, wishing she could do so much more.
    His muscles tightened beneath her fingertips. His gaze bore into her. “No! My daughter is missing. I will bring her home.” His mouth firmed into a fierce expression. “You don’t need to worry about me falling apart. I won’t allow it. I have the most important job of my life to do and nothing will stand in my way.” His savage tone, directed more at the situation than at her, never rose above a loud whisper.
    When he brought his mug to his lips, her fingers slipped from his arm, but not before she noticed the hand holding his coffee quivered slightly. “We all have a breaking point.”
    Over the rim of his cup, he glared at her but didn’t say a word.
    Determined to make him see he had his limits, she didn’t back down from him. “I’m available if you need someone to talk to. And I’m sure Colin is, too.”
    â€œI know.” The hardness in his features melted some.